Blog Category: Farmer Profiles

FARM THE BASIN: Back to the Biointensive Basics with the Kootenay Society for Sustainable Living (VIDEO)

Posted by Hailey Troock on February 01, 2019

Sharon and James are sustainable mini-farmers, natural builders, and environmentalists. Over the last five years they have been on a journey to become self-reliant and to transition towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Amongst meeting and learning from a variety of experts in their fields, as interns at Ecology Action they studied under John Jeavons to learn how to not only grow their own complete diet, but to bring sustainable agriculture back to their community as teachers. All of their experiences have led them back to what’s most important: to help build a strong, healthy community of localized and sustainable living. … Continue reading FARM THE BASIN: Back to the Biointensive Basics with the Kootenay Society for Sustainable Living (VIDEO) →

YA Apprenticeship: Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm – Carstairs, AB

Posted by Dana Penrice on January 17, 2019

Are you an aspiring farmer looking for hands-on farming experience on an ecological farm? Are you interested in organic farming and biodynamic practices? Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm is looking for a farm apprentice starting this spring to join their team. About the Farm Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm is a highly diversified operation located on 160 acres of rolling prairie and parkland. Owned and operated by husband and wife team Kris and Tamara, the farm produces cereal grains, forage crops, culinary herbs, vegetables, eggs and meat products, all of which are produced organically and certified biodynamic by Demeter Canada. Farm products are marketed locally, … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship: Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm – Carstairs, AB →

FARM THE BASIN: Beyond the Button with Mr. Mercy’s Mushrooms

Posted by Hailey Troock on January 16, 2019

Robin Mercy is the owner of Mr. Mercy’s Mushrooms. He lives and farms in Kaslo, BC with his partner Tamara and son Kirin. They produce strains appropriate for the local climate, from blue oysters and enoki in the shoulder seasons to white elms, lion’s mane, and reishi in the hotter months. Considering there is an estimated five million types of fungi, they hope to “stimulate curiosity and appetite in their clientele with an assortment of beautiful and unique gourmet varieties,” going beyond the white button mushroom. They also produce nourishing fungal tinctures with the help of local herbalists. Robin and … Continue reading FARM THE BASIN: Beyond the Button with Mr. Mercy’s Mushrooms →

FARM THE BASIN: North Kootenay Lake Multi-Farm Tour 2018 ~ Video

Posted by Hailey Troock on October 02, 2018

“As much as I’m a farmer that grows food, I realize how important the forest is to my water and without water I don’t have a garden. I’ve been spending way more time on forest management then on trying to grow something I can sell for five bucks”. We weren’t the only ones in our group that were deeply impacted by Sara Adair’s words during our afternoon visit to her off-grid farm in Argenta. Sara hosted Young Agrarians and farmers from across the Columbia Basin on August 25, 2018. We were shown around not only Sara’s beautiful property but also given tours of … Continue reading FARM THE BASIN: North Kootenay Lake Multi-Farm Tour 2018 ~ Video →

The Agrariannaire: Meet the Farmers at Close to Home Organics

Posted by Jenna Dallmeyer on September 24, 2018

By Jenna Dallmeyer I am a member of the Glen Valley Organic Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and I recently had the special opportunity to meet the farmers behind the food. The Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-operative is run by members with the shared purpose of sustainably farming and stewarding their land. The 50 acre farm property is located in Abbotsford, near Fort Langley. The CSA program is run by Glen Valley Organic Farm, a partnership between Close to Home Organics and Earth Apple Organic Farm. The farmers I had the pleasure of speaking with were Chris Bodnar, co-manager … Continue reading The Agrariannaire: Meet the Farmers at Close to Home Organics →

Business Mentorship Network – Toadstools & Handtools Farm

Posted by Kristen Nammour on April 27, 2018

Michael-Anthony and Jessica farm in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island and operate Toadstools and Handtools Farm. We grow a variety of organically certified vegetables, herbs, and gourmet mushrooms. We are in our second season on newly rented land with an edited lease agreement that we pulled from the Young Agrarians website. Our passion is restorative agriculture. We aim to produce a nutrient dense vegetarian diet using low-impact hand tools, although Michael-Anthony would love to have a front-loader to move compost, and with carbon-sequestering farming practices, such as true no-till farming. We have incorporated fungi into the design of the … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – Toadstools & Handtools Farm →

Business Mentorship Network – Turtle Creek Farm

Posted by Kristen Nammour on April 25, 2018

Names? Bee Ramos, Ben Krieger Where do you farm? Turtle Creek Farm in Oliver, BC What do you farm? Mixed veggies ( greens, radishes, asparagus, tomatoes) and a small herd of dairy goats. What type of business structure is your farm? General Partnership What is your land tenure? We purchased our farm at the end of 2016. Freehold. What inspired you to get into farming? For Ben: Learning about the importance of taking care of the land at a young age, I have always wanted to be involved in sustainable farming. For Bee: I had the opportunity to volunteer at goat dairies and … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – Turtle Creek Farm →

Business Mentorship Network – Elemental Farms

Posted by Kristen Nammour on April 22, 2018

Name? Kevin Allen Where do you farm? Elemental Farm in Saanich, BC What do you farm? Mixed vegetables What type of business structure is your farm? Sole proprietorship What is your land tenure? I have a lease arrangement for 4-years at Haliburton Farm, an incubator project of the Capitol Regional District. I’ll have a maximum term of 8 years and have access to shared tools, infrastructure, and markets to help me establish my farm business. What inspired you to get into farming? To do meaningful work that is connected to our environment and community. Why did you apply for business mentorship? I’m a … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – Elemental Farms →

Business Mentorship Network – The Farmhouse Bard

Posted by Kristen Nammour on April 20, 2018

Name? Roger Woo Where do you farm? The Farmhouse Bard in Surrey, BC What do you farm? Mixed vegetables. I’m excited to be doing more asian greens this year. What type of business structure is your farm? Sole proprietorship. What is your land tenure? I’m currently growing on leased land. I was part of Young Agrarians’ pilot land matching programme and while leasing has its own share of challenges, it has also been rewarding in ways I could never have foreseen at the outset. Good drainage, fertile ground, and fine tilth: my farm is none of those things. But what I do have … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – The Farmhouse Bard →

Business Mentorship Network – BugHungry Cricket Farm

Posted by Kristen Nammour on April 18, 2018

Name? BugHungry; my name is Laura Kennedy and my brother, Michael, and I are starting our cricket farm business together. Where do you farm? Currently farming in Squamish BC, but we are also looking for a warehouse to expand into. What do you farm? Crickets! BugHungry is BC’s first (that we know of) edible cricket farm. We would like to eventually expand into other insects. What type of business structure is your farm? Partnership. What is your land tenure? I work on a hobby farm in exchange for room and board, as well as a space to experiment with cricket rearing. I also work as a secretary … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – BugHungry Cricket Farm →